Landscaping Rules in Ontario, CA (2026)

Ontario Municipal Code Sec. 7-3.13 (Landscaping parkways)

It shall be the responsibility of the owner, occupant, or person having charge or control of property to plant grass and/or groundcover, as well as to sufficiently water, trim, and otherwise maintain all vegetation within the abutting parkway, including trimming of trees to provide a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet from grade.

Ontario Municipal Code Sec. 10-2.06

No person shall remove or relocate any parkway tree without prior authorization from the Public Works Agency of the City. A parkway tree may be removed by the City for any of the following reasons: (a) Visual hazard. Obstructing sight distance necessary for the safe operation of vehicles at street intersections, or obscuring in an otherwise incurable manner any traffic or railroad crossing sign...

City of Ontario Weed & Refuse Abatement program (implementing Ontario MC Sec. 6-9.02)

If after a second inspection the vacant lot is still not in compliance, a civil penalty, re-inspection fee, and a Notice of Intent to Abate will also be issued. Staff will then direct a City contractor to abate all weeds, rubbish, and/or refuse on the vacant lot. All costs associated with abatement of weeds and refuse will be assessed to the property owner. Failure to pay fines, penalties and a...

City of Ontario WaterWise, Voluntary Conservation Stage measures (Ontario MC Sec. 6-8.25)

Avoid watering lawns, and the like, between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Prevent water from running off from landscaped areas due to incorrectly directed or maintained sprinklers or excessive watering. Avoid hose washing of sidewalks, driveways, and other parking/paved surfaces. Promptly repair leaks from indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures. Cars and other vehicles should be washed by hand, rinsed wit...

California AB 1750 (2012), Rainwater Capture Act, Water Code §§ 10570-10574

AB-1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. An act to amend Section 7027.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and to add Part 2.4 (commencing with Section 10570) to Division 6 of the Water Code, relating to water. This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, which would provide that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the state board. PA...

California Civil Code § 4735 (HOA Landscaping/Artificial Turf)

Civil Code - CIV. 4735. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or inc...

Ontario Municipal Code Sec. 6-3.501 (Backyard Residential Composting)

Sec. 6-3.501. Backyard residential composting. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, residents are encouraged to compost green wastes, including grass clippings, leaves, plant trimmings, wood ashes and vegetable kitchen scraps (but not including other household refuse or animal wastes). The following conditions regarding composting must be met: (1) Compost piles ...